Sunday, 2 October 2016

Several dead in stampede after police tear gas protesters

Several people were killed in a stampede near the Ethiopian capital on Sunday after police fired tear gas at protesters during a religious festival, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.
Several thousand people had gathered at a sacred lake in the town of Bishoftu to take part in the Irreecha ceremony, in which the Oromo community marks the end of the rainy season.
Some participants crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo anti-government protests.
The event quickly degenerated, with protesters throwing stones and bottles and security forces responding with baton charges and then tear gas grenades.
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